An Interview with John Wessling
John Wessling is an elite racer who was the Geico-Honda Motocross trainer. This is his interview:
1. when did you start riding?
1992… I think. I was in junior high and I met a kid named Jake who was mountain biking. We hit it off and I immediately bought a Barracuda A2r and started riding with him. We rode the trails around Mt. Gretna, PA every weekend we could. It naturally progressed into doing all the local racing events
(Picture attached racing against my buddy Ryan in 1994)
2. What brought you to OTH?
Well, it all started with an email (see image) back in 2009 from a new friend who had helped me book some transportation for a youth camp I was running. I still remember the first race on my Jamis Dakar with my 4 buddies. We all finished with the endorphin + adrenaline + stoke combination that was just incredible. Smiles, stories and suffering all mixed together. It was sublime.
3. What kept you at OTH?
It is a phenomenal place to be competitive and challenge yourself amongst the BEST riders in Orange County and beyond. The vibe is real, the community electric, and the relationships I have developed over the years continue to blossom. I met one of my favorite riding buddies at OTH a few years back.
4. What’s been your biggest wins, because of your involvement?
Somehow I won the Single Speed class in 2011, nothing feels better than standing atop the final podium. It was an incredible battle with a good friend of mine Heath Masters and I was fortunate enough to come out on top. But I think bigger than that is now to watch my daughter (who was 5 months old when I won in 2011) now participating in the kids race on her little BMX bike. She is 100% committed to racing every week and always wants to know her result!! Talk about a huge victory!